FRYER GOES HIGHER

Universal U.K.'s research man Jack Fryer has been promoted to Director of the major label's newly created Audience Research & Planning division. Offering research, marketing planning, innovation and brand consultancy, Fryer and his team will bring audience understanding to campaign discussions for UMG's artists and labels.

Fryer joined Universal Music in Blighty in October 2013 as Head of Insight, having spent two years in the same role at EMI Records. He was previously a strategist at marketing agency FRUKT.

Since joining Universal, Fryer has been tasked with bringing all parts of the business closer to its audiences, supporting the development of a range of projects.

Now reporting to Brian Rose, MD of Universal Music UK’s Commercial Division, Fryer's new role is effective immediately.

Says Rose, “Jack has a rare combination of attributes, having an deep understanding of audiences, data and marketing while taking a uniquely creative approach. He brings a whole new dimension to campaign discussions with our artists and labels as well as offering a fresh perspective for every part of our business.”

"I am hugely passionate about the role the team can play within the business," added Fryer. "Audience understanding is absolutely at the core of our offering, but we need to bring a range of other approaches and skills to the table too... I look at our project list and it's brilliantly broad: from pure research work right through to marketing planning, brand strategy and innovation. That's the way we like it. We need to be flexible, we need to be useful and we need to be progressive."